LISKEARD received a double boost this week with the opening of the new pannier market and the after-effects of the Mary Portas TV programme.

Traders reported an upturn in business which they are putting down to the 'Mary Factor,' after the airing on Channel 4 of the Mary Queen of the High Street programme featuring the town, plus people coming in to see the new pannier market in the former Local Plus store.

These two factors, plus the fortnightly country produce market and the popular market £1 all-day parking offer, set the town buzzing, they say.

Geoff Brown, the butcher of Warren at Oughs in Market Street, said Mary's focus on Lip Smacking Liskeard had sent sales of his Road Kill Pie through the roof.

'We have sold about 10 times the normal number of pies already and now have the problem of sourcing enough game to keep up with the demand,' he said.

Geoff added: 'Since Liskeard was on TV our company has had more than 25,000 hits on its website as well as Facebook, and the number of customers through our shop door has risen by about 50 per cent on a normal week.

'I popped into the pannier market on Saturday, which was going well, and my walk around the town showed me that it was not just the traders who were having a good day. The atmosphere in the streets was lovely.'

Andrew Beddoe, of Beddoes Fruits in the Market Arcade, said he had been rushed off his feet since the Mary Portas programme and there was definitely more interest in the town.

'On Saturday we were run ragged,' he said. 'There were so many more people around the town.'

At Health and Happiness in Fore Street, owner Debbie Vass was optimistic about Liskeard's future. 'The first day after the Mary Portas programme on Liskeard was a Wednesday, which is normally a quiet trading day,' she said, 'but Fore Street was noticeably busier; quite crowded in fact.

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'Fingers crossed that people will continue coming to Liskeard, and hopefully interest in the town will also bring in the summer tourists as well. Everything is gradually moving in the right direction, and all need to speak more positively about the town. Gloom and despondency does nothing, but being more positive will,' added Debbie.

Traders' Association member Lin Moore said: 'Footfall in Liskeard is definitely up since people have seen the programme. Those who have not been to the town for years were coming to have a look and Saturday was fantastic. The town was buzzing.'

Stephen Barrett and Katrina Dawe, of ReVitalise Liskeard CIC (Community Interest Company), who are running the new pannier market, say they were thrilled with the success of their opening day.

'The market was full with traders and we were packed out with customers,' said Katrina. 'We are already looking at 10 new traders in the town, that's a lot of jobs, and on Saturday, including the town council's fortnightly country produce market, there were 35 new traders in Liskeard.'

One of the pannier market's permanent traders will be Liskeard man Syd Williams, who has launched Maverick's, a shabby chic stall, which also includes some of his own handicrafts. A handyman by trade, Syd was among those helping to get the pannier market ready. 'Saturday went really well and I got a lot of good feedback. People were saying it was nice to see something different. I really hope this takes off for Liskeard,' he said.

Also launching his new business at the pannier market was a former Royal Marine from 40 Commando who has served in Afghanistan. Chris Harding, of Downderry, has created a mobile coffee and tea shop in a small Italian van. The business is known as Harding and Scoots – the Scoots half is his terrier dog.

Before joining the marines Chris was a professional photographer for OK Magazine. 'I thought good coffee, served in a novel way, would appeal.' he said. 'I am delighted to say local people are enjoying it.'

Chris thinks Liskeard is a stunning town with some gorgeous buildings. 'It would be so nice to see the town doing well again,' he said.

Among stalls offering homemade delicacies is The Pickled Lemon Catering Company. Based at Carkeel the stall is run by Pip Bradley, of Blunts, who thinks the market is going great. Also happy with trading is Alexis Seidler from Bay Tree Trading, who is running a stall. 'Trade on Saturday was humungous,' he said.